John 20:19–23 Then that same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace to you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Again, Jesus said to them, “Peace to you. As my Father has sent me, even so I send you.” 22 After he said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 “If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you retain them, they are retained.”
V19 Then that same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace to you.”
The time is still Sunday; now, it is evening. The disciples were gathered together in fear. Their fear was that if the leaders arrested, tortured, and crucified Jesus, they would come after us. It must have been a time of great fear, lack of sleep, and being careful wherever they went.
The Greek word for fear is G5401 φόβος phobos, which means (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Abridged – Little Kittel)) “Basic to the group is the primary verb phébomai, ‘to flee.’ As an emotion develops from the action, being startled and running away suggest ‘fear.’ The older word for ‘fear’ is déos. This is ‘apprehension,’ while phóbos is ‘fright’ or ‘panic.’”
What triggers fear? Mainly an unknown and possible danger to ourselves.
This strong fear could lead to panic, which would lead to other emotions. Often there is a dulling of reason, logic, and carefulness. There would be heightened emotions, the 5 senses of sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell.
They might have felt abandoned. The Hebrews writer wrote: Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness. Be satisfied with what you have, because he has said, ‘I will never leave you, nor forsake you.’”
The Holy Spirit may have prompted their memories of a passage in Isaiah: Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV) Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Principle: God still watches over us no matter how great the fear.
In this setting of hushed voices and heightened alertness, suddenly, something happens that exceedingly frightens them—Jesus is suddenly present. Personally, I’m sure I would have screamed.
Note the first words of Jesus: “Peace.” The disciples feared a sudden appearance of legal authorities, but the sudden appearance of Jesus must have been overwhelming. It is just these disciples, and suddenly, in a blink, someone is standing there.
When Jesus declares peace, He just announces it; He brings it to fruition, calming the emotions more than any sedative.
Principle: Know God will not abandon the Christian. His peace is always with us regardless of any fear we are truly experiencing.
V20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Showing the disciples His hands and side would be a positive identification of whom He was.
Principle: Actions have a stronger proof than words. If I say “I love you,” it might mean little, but if I say “I love you” and am kind and gentle, the proof is stronger.
V21 Again, Jesus said to them, “Peace to you. As my Father has sent me, even so I send you.”
Anyone can have a measure of peace, rest, calm, relaxation, but only God can give His peace to a weary and troubled soul. For a nonbeliever, Jesus has provided and offers His Gospel, which brings forgiveness of sins, ceasing of guilt, fellowship with God, and blessed assurance. For the believer, Jesus has provided the Holy Spirit who dwells in our hearts (soul and spirit), producing the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23).
Jesus states two things:
- “I give you my peace,” which is a peace beyond our understanding (Ephesians 3:19 and Philippians 4:7).
- “I want you to go where I send you, just as my Father sent me to the Earth to be the suffering Messiah.”
Principle: He sends every believer to be a witness, a light, reflecting God’s ways and glory.
V22 After he said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
This is a special, Old Testament type of having the Holy Spirit for a specific purpose as craftsmen (Exodus 31:2–6), Kings (1 Samuel 16:13), priests (Exodus 29:7), and prophets (2 Chronicles 24:20).
Today, all believers from Pentecost and beyond are anointed (1 John 2:20).
V23 “If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you retain them, they are retained.”
This is announcing forgiveness, not forgiveness like God forgives. Forgiveness is the release from God’s wrath, punishment, and separation. God’s forgiveness is only through Jesus, God the Son, because He paid the penalty for sins—death.
When a person puts their faith and trust into Jesus Christ alone, then we can authoritatively announce to them, “You have been forgiven by God’s own words.”
Compare the prophet of God, Nathan, speaking to King David in 2 Samuel 12:7–14.
Some comments:
Matthew 16:18 (CWSB) “The teaching here is that those things which are conclusively decided by God in the kingdom of heaven, having been so decided upon, are emulated by the Church on earth.”
(Holman Commentary) “Of greater difficulty in this context is verse 23. On what basis could human beings forgive the sins of others? Obviously, much has been made of this in some segments of the Christian faith. Perhaps the best interpretation emphasizes the difference between absolution and proclamation. The duty of the disciples was to proclaim the forgiveness of sins; the actual forgiving would take place in heaven by the Lord who paid for those sins. Nevertheless, the claims of the gospel are clear—forgiveness only on the basis of Jesus’ death on the cross.
Morris notes, “It should also be borne in mind that, according to the best text, the verbs ‘are forgiven’ and ‘are retained’ are in the perfect tense. The meaning of this is that the Spirit-filled church can pronounce with authority that the sins of such-and-such men have been forgiven or have been retained. If the church is really acting under the leadership of the Spirit it will be found that her pronouncements on this matter do but reveal what has already been determined in heaven” (Morris, p. 849).
We learn:
- About God’s peace.
- About fear.
- About forgiveness of sins.
- About preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Questions:
- How have you experienced God’s peace?
- Do you want God’s forgiveness, yet you will not forgive others?